Hearing loss decisions — 2012

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are likely due to exposure to loud noise during active service, and thus grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a hearing loss disability as defined by VA standards, and therefore service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD was granted, and service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus was established. The decision also addressed the reopening of a previously denied claim for hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a chronic right ear hearing loss and therefore cannot establish service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability for VA purposes and his tinnitus is not related to service. As such, the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development and examination, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling a VA audio examination.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and found new and material evidence to reopen the claim. The skin disorder is presumed due to Agent Orange exposure during service in Vietnam.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for bilateral hearing loss remains at 20 percent, as his exceptional pattern of hearing impairment does not warrant a higher evaluation.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding that none of these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's tinnitus has been found to be clinically associated with his underlying bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, and the Board grants service connection for tinnitus as secondary to service-connected bilateral sensorineural hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU, but may be eligible for an extraschedular rating due to his unemployability.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private audiological evaluation reports and VA examination findings.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus, but denied service connection for acute labyrinthitis and right ear hearing loss due to lack of evidence supporting these claims.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there was no prior claim received within one year of his separation from active duty.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal regarding the issue of entitlement to service connection for hearing loss.

The Board has determined that further development is needed before the claims can be fully adjudicated, including obtaining a VA audiological examination and reviewing outstanding VA medical records.

The Veteran's PTSD has been assigned a maximum disability rating of 70 percent, effective August 22, 2008. His tinnitus is rated at the maximum allowable under VA regulations.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before a final decision can be made on the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and diabetes mellitus type II have been denied. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, and his claim for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus type II prior to March 31, 2010 has also been denied.